Electric switch



Feb. 13, 1934. J, SA HS 1,941,275

ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed May 20, l95l 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 J. SACHS ELECTRIC SWITCH Feb. 13, 1934.

Filed May 20, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 [271 527 55 02" Jasgph 5527275 U/ 9& Attarngy Patented Feb. 13, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT? oFFica 1,947,275 anaemic swrrcn Joseph Sachs, West Hartford, Conn.

Application May 20, 1931. Serial No. 538,688

13 Claims. (01. 200-164) The present invention is particularly applicable to electric switches or circuit controlling appliances of the type shown in my Patents No. 1,754,443 and No. 1,754,445, dated April 15, 1930 and No. 1,755,367, dated April 22, 1930. It will be understood, however, that while the invention is particularly applicable to switches of this type, it is not necessarily so limited.

The principal object of the invention is to provide, particularly in a switch of the type referred to, an arrangement of parts whereby the movable switching member is given a movement supplemental to its normal or major movement, which supplemental movement serves to effect a firmer and more efiicient engagement between the switch contact than would otherwise be obtained. With a switch of the type already referred to the major movement of the switching member is rectilinear, and in accordance with the present invention this rectilinear movement is supplemented by a short movement at an angle thereto which serves to bring about the aforesaid more effective engagement of the contacts. 7

In the accompanying drawings I have shown in detail one embodiment of the invention in order that the invention may be clearly understood, but it will be understood that the drawings are intended for illustrative purposes only and are not to be construed as defining or limiting the scope of the invention, the claims forming a part of this specification being relied upon for that purpose.

Of the drawings: 7

Fig. 1 is a front view of a fused switch embodying the invention, the switch parts being in open-circuit positions and the front cover of the enclosing box being omitted.

Fig. 2 is a bottom view of the switch with the enclosing box shown in transverse section.

Fig. 3 is a right side view of the switch with the enclosing box shown in vertical section.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary bottom view similar to Fig. 2, but showing the switch member in its closed-circuit position.

' Fig. 5 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of Fig. l, but showing the switching member in an intermediate position.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5, but showing the switching member in its closed-circuit position.

Considered broadly, a switch embodying the present invention comprises a stationary electric contact, a switching member movable along a predetermined path and having a contact thereon adapted to engage the stationary contact, means for moving the switching member along the predetermined normal path, and other means for causing the switching member to move at an angle to its said normal path into its final position of engagement with the stationary contact. So far as the broader aspects of the invention are concerned I do not limit myself to any specific details of construction for the stationary contact or for the switching member, 5 nor do I limit myself to any particular type of movement for the switch member, rectilinear or otherwise. However, as already pointed out, the invention is particularly applicable to a switch of the type disclosed in my aforesaid 10 patents, and a switch of this type having the invention incorporated therein will be now described in detail.

The switch as a whole is preferably mounted in an enclosing box such as 1, which may be of '5 any usual or preferred construction. Secured to the rear wall of the box is a rear insulating support on which the stationary switch contact means are mounted. For some classes of service it is preferable to provide for each leg of the circuit two separate vertically spaced contact means. when there are two such contact means,

I preferably provide two separate insulating plates or bars 2 and 3 which constitute the rear insulating supporting means.

A two-pole switch is shown and for simplicity of description I will refer in the main only to the parts constituting the right pole. The contact means secured to the upper bar 2 prefer ably comprises two transversely spaced forward projecting contacts 4 and 5; and the contact means secured to the lower insulating bar 3 preferably comprises two transversely spaced forward projecting contacts 6 and 7. The contacts 4 and 7 are electrically connected respectively with wire receiving terminals 8 and 9. The contacts 5 and 6 are electrically connected with each other and such connection may be effected by means of a fuse carried in fuse contacts 10 and 11 mounted respectively at the forward ends 109 of the contacts 5 and 6. Preferably a plate 12 of insulating material is connected with the contacts 5 and 6, this plate being vertical and being located immediately back of the fuse clips and fuses.

For establishing electrical connection between the contacts 4, 5 and 6, 7, there is provided a switching member which comprises a fiat plate 13- of insulating material and which also comprises contacts 14 and 15 secured to the plate 13. 110

The plate 13 is mounted in edgewise relation to the rear insulating bars 2 and 3, being perpendicular thereto and perpendicular to the rear wall of the cabinet. The plate is rectilinearly movable in a predetermined path, being guided at the rear by the said bars 2 and 3 and being guided at the front by the said plate 12. The contacts 14 and 15 have contact faces at opposite sides of the plate 13, these contact faces being thus adapted to engage and connect the respective contacts 4, 5 and 6, 7. Fig. 1 shows the switch member in its lowermost position with the contacts 14 and 15 out of engagement with the respective contacts 4, 5 and 6, 7. It will be understood, however, that when the switching member is moved upward the contact 14 engages and connects the contacts 4, 5 and the contact 15 engages and connects the contacts 6, 7.

I do not narrowly limit myself as concerns the details of the switching member. Preferably, however, the plate 13 is provided with longitudinal slots 16 and 17 extending vertically from the upper and lower ends respectively. Each contact 14 or 15 is shaped as shown in Figs. 2 and 4 and is pushed endwise into its proper relationship to the slide, the central connecting portion of the contact entering the corresponding slots 16 and 17. For holding the upper contact 14 in place there are provided two plates 18, 18 positioned at opposite sides of the plate 13. These plates are formed of insulating material and are riveted in place. For holding the contact 15 in place there is provided a U-shaped clip 19 which fits over the lower end of the slide and is riveted in place. This clip, if desired, may be formed of metal.

In order to hold the switching member in approximately its predetermined path the bars 2 and 3 are provided with ribs 2', 2 and 3, 3' at the sides of the plate 13, and the plate 12 is provided with notches 12" in transverse ribs 12 which notches receive the plate 13. The switching member is thus guided for rectilinear movement, but it is nevertheless left free to adjust itself transversely to a limited extent. Thus when the respective contacts engage each other, the switching member as an entirety may move transversely to compensate for any possible irregularities.

For operating the switching member I have shown a spindle or operating member 20 having a handle 21 which is located exteriorly of the enclosing box 1. The crank portion of the operating member 20 extends through a transverse slot 22 in the plate 13. By operating the handle the switching member may be moved upward or downward as desired. When there are two or more switching members, all of them can be operated simultaneously by the same operat member. It will be understood that instead of providing a handle 21 integral with the operating member 20 as shown, a suitable quick-makeand-brealr mechanism may be interposed between the handle and the operating member. Such a mechanism constitutes no part of the present invention and is, therefore, not shown.

By referring to Figs. 2 and 4 it will be observed that the oppositely facing contact faces of the contacts 4, 5 and 6, 7 are not parallel with each other, but on the contrary converge toward the front, that ,is, in a direction at an angle to the path of movement of the switching member. The contacts 14 and 15 have their opposite outer contact faces arranged to similarly converge, these faces being parallel with the corresponding faces of the stationary switch contacts. The movable contacts 14 and 15 preferably have. inward turned lips 14 and 15 at their tops, which facilitate engagement with the stationary contacts.

As already stated, the normal movement of the switching member is along a predetermined rectilinear path, the switching member being guided in this path by reason of its engagement at the rear with the bars 2 and 3 and by reason of its engagement at the front with the plate 12. The switching member is moved along this path by the operating member 20, and in accordance with the invention I provide means serving upon continued movement of the said operating memher to move the switching member in a direction at an angle to the said normal path so as to bring the movable contacts into firm and final engagement with the stationary contacts. In the present instance, the supplemental movement takes place in an upward and forward direction, with the result that the forwardly converging faces of each contact 14 and 15 are forced between the similarly converging faces of the corresponding stationary contacts 4, 5 and 6, 7. The means for effecting this movement at an angle may be varied, but such means may conveniently consist of inclined cam surfaces formed on the rear guiding means.

As shown, the insulating plate 13 is provided adjacent its rear edge, with two longitudinally spaced rearward projections having inclined cam surfaces 23 and 24. The two insulating bars 2 and 3 constitute rear guiding means and they are provided with grooves 25 and 26 adapted to receive these projections on the plate 13. At the upper ends of the said grooves 25 and 26 are inclined cam surfaces 27 and 28 adapted to engage the aforesaid cam surfaces 23 and 24 on the plate 13. From an inspection of Figs. 4 and 5 it will be apparent that the switching member moves rectilinearly upward along its normal path until it reaches the position shown in Fig. 5, in which position the cam faces on the switching member come into engagement with the cam faces on the rear guiding means. Continued movement of the operating member and of the switching member causes the switching member to follow the cam surfaces and to move diagonally upward and forward to the position shown in Fig. 6. It will be evident that in Fig. 5 the movable contacts 14 and 15 have reached positions of approximate engagement with the corresponding stationary contacts, and that movement to this position has been effected with little or no frictional resistance at the contacts themselves. Continued movement of the operating member and of the slide results in the aforesaid forward and upward diagonal movement of the switching member. which movement forces or wedges the convening faces of the movable contacts between and into firm engagement with the similarly converging faces of the stationary contacts. Thus, with a minimum of frictional resistance and with a minimum of eflort, firm and efficient engagement is eifetgted between the stationary and movable contac Preferably to insure rapid disengagement when the slide is moved downward, the plate 13 is provided adjacent its forward edge with notches having at their tops inclined cam surfaces 29 and 30, and the plate 12 is provided with similar cam faces 31 and 32 adjacent the respective ribs 12", 12". The engagement of these last said cam faces insures diagonalmovement of the switching member in the reverse direction, thus very quickly disengaging the movable contacts from the stationary contacts.

What I claim is: i

1. The combination in an electric switch, of a stationary switch contact, a movable switching member having a contact, an operating member for moving the switching member along a predetermined rectilinear path to bring the movable contact into at least approximate engagement with the stationary contact, and means serving upon continued movement of the operating member to move the switching member in a direction at an angle to the said path to bring the movable contact into firm-and final engagement with the stationary contact.

2. The combination in anelectric switch, of a switching member guided for longitudinalmovement along a predetermined rectilinear path and having a contact with opposite contact faces which converge in a direction at an angle to the said rectilinear path, stationary contact means positioned to be engagedby the movable contact and having opposite converging contact faces parallel to the first said converging contact faces, an operating member for moving the switching member along the said rectilinear path, and means serving when the movable contact reaches a position of approximate engagement with the said stationary contact means to thereupon move the switching member at an angle to its aforesaid rectilinear path and in a direction to force the converging faces of the movable contact between the converging faces of the stationary contact means.

3. An electric switch as set forth in claim 2, wherein the stationary contact means comprises two entirely separate contacts.

4. The combination in an electric switch, of a switching member guided for longitudinal movement along a predetermined rectilinear path and provided with two longitudinally spaced separate contacts insulated from each other and each having opposite contact faces which converge in a direction at an angle to the said rectilinear path, two pairs of stationary contacts positioned to be engaged respectively by the movable contacts of the switching member, the contacts of each pair having opposite converging contact faces parallel to the converging contact faces of the movable contacts, an operating member for moving the switching member along the said rectilinear path, and means serving when the movable contacts reach positions of approximate engagement with the said stationary contacts to thereupon move the switching member in substantial parallelism at an angle to its aforesaid rectilinear path and in a direction to force the converging faces of the movable contacts between the converging faces of the corresponding stationa'i'y contacts.

5. The combination in an electric switch, of a switching member guided for longitudinal movement along a predetermined rectilinear path and having a contact with opposite contact faces which converge in a direction at an angle to the said rectilinear path, stationary contact means positioned to be engaged by the movable contact and having opposite converging contact faces parallel to the first said converging contact faces, an operating member for moving the switching member along the said rectilinear path, and means dependent on the operating member for moving the switching member at an angle to its aforesaid path of rectilinear movement following contact and respectively having opposite converging contact faces parallel to-the converging contact faces.of the movable contact, an operating member for moving the switching member, and guide means for the switching member serving to guide it along the said predetermined path, the said guide means having an inclined cam surface which engages 'the switching member at the conclusion of its movement along the said path and causes it to move at an angle to the said path and in a direction to force the converging faces of the movable contact between the converging faces of the stationary contacts.

'7. In a switch of the class described, the combination of a switching member longitudinally movable along a predetermined rectilinear path and having a contact with opposite contact faces which converge in a direction at an angle to the said rectilinear path, two separate stationary contacts positioned to be engaged by the movable contact and respectively having opposite converging contact faces parallel to the converging contact faces of the movable contact, an operating member for moving the switching member,

and guide means for the switching member serving to guide it along the said predetermined path, the said guide means having two longitudinally spaced inclined cam surfaces which separately engage the switching member at the conclusion of its movement along the said path and cause it to move in substantial parallelism atan angle to the said path and in a direction to force the converging faces of the movable contact between the T f converging faces of the stationary contacts.

8. In a switch of the class described, the combination of a switching member longitudinally movable along a predetermined path and having a contact with opposite contact faces which converge in a direction at an angle to the said predetermined path, two separate stationary contacts positioned to be engaged. by the movable contact and respectively having opposite converging contact faces parallel to the converging contact faces of the movable contact, an operating member for moving the switching member, and guide means for the switching member serving to guide it along the said predetermined path, the said guide means having two oppositely disposed inclined cam surfaces which engage the switching member respectively at the conclusion of and prior to its movement along the said path and causes it to move at an angle to the said predetermined path and in a direction to force the converging faces of the movable contact between and away from the converging faces of the stationary contacts.

9. In a switch of the class described, the combination of a switching member longitudinally movable along a predetermined path, the said switching member comprising a flat insulating plate and a contact on the plate having contact faces at opposite sides of the plate which converge in a direction at an angle to the said path of 159 movement, two separate stationary contacts positioned at opposite sides of the plate to be engaged by the movable contact and respectively having opposite converging contact faces parallel to the converging contact faces of the movable contact, an operating member engaging the flat plate to move the switching member, and means engaging the flat plate at one edge-thereof to guide it along the said predetermined path, the said guide .means having an inclined cam surface which also engages the switching member at comprising a contact on the plate having contact faces at opposite sides of the plate which converge in a direction at an angle to the said path of movement, two separate stationary contacts positioned at opposite sides of the plate to be engaged by the movable contact and respectively having opposite converging contact faces parallel to the converging contact faces of the movable contact, an operating member engaging the flat plate to move the switching member, and means engaging the flat plate at the said edge thereof to guide it along the said predetermined rectilinear path, the said guide means having longitudinally spaced cam surfaces which respectively engage the inclined cam surfaces on the plate and cause the switching member to move at an angle to the said rectilinear path and in a direction to force the converging faces of the movable contact between the converging faces of the stationary contacts.

11. In a switch of the class described, the combination of a switching member longitudinally movable along a predetermined path and comprising a flat insulating plate having adjacent its opposite edges two inclined cam surfaces, the said switching member also comprising a contact on the plate having contact faces at opposite sides of the plate which converge in a direction at an angle to the said path of movement. two-separate stationary contacts positioned at opposite sides of the plate to be engaged by the movable contact and respectively having opposite converging contact faces parallel to the converging contact faces of the movable contact. an operating member engaging the flat plate to move the switching member, and means engaging the flat plate at the opposite edges thereof to guide it along the said predetermined path, the said guide means having inclined surfaces which respectively engage the inclined cam surfaces on the plate and cause the switching member to move at an angle to the said predetermined path and in a direction to force the converging faces of the movable contact between and away from the converging faces of the stationary contacts.

12. A rectilinearly movable contact member adapted to move between two opposite spaced stationary switch contacts, the said contact member comprising in combination a flat insulating plate having parallel guiding edges and provided with a longitudinal slot between the said edges, and a metallic contact element extending through the slot and bent to form oppositely facing contact faces located at opposite sides of the insulating plate and adapted to be engaged with or disengaged from the stationary switch contacts.

13. A rectilinearly movable contact member adapted to move between two opposite spaced stationary switch contacts, the said contact member comprising in combination a flat insulating plate having parallel guiding edges and provided with a longitudinal slot extending from one end between the said edges, a metallic contact element extending through the slot adjacent the inner end thereof and bent to form oppositely facing contact faces located at opposite sides of the insulating plate and adapted to be engaged with or disengaged from the stationary switch contacts, and means connected with the plate adjacent the outer end of the slot for holding the contact in place in the slot.

JOSEPH SACHS. 

